On Tuesday, everyone jumped all over a blurb by ESPN’s Chris Mortensen regarding the finalization of a deal between the Giants and Victor Cruz.

In typical 21st Century fashion, bloggers and vacationing beat writers jumped all over the news as if the deal was going to be announced within hours. They forgot they were dealing with the Giants.

The Giants and Cruz may not get this thing done until the Giants walk through the doors of TPC 23 days from now. Cruz tweeted to the effect that “good things come to those who wait”, but he’s given indications that a deal was imminent in the past.

We believe the Giants and Cruz are on the same page right now and he has agreed to re-sign with them. So, what’s the holdup?

Free agents with represented by top agencies (Cruz is handled by CAA and Tom Condon) usually follow the path of the NFL’s free agency calendar, which is winding down the next few weeks.

Cruz is beholden to the Giants for 2013, having signed a tender worth $2.879 million, so he’s required to report to camp or face fines of $30k per day. He must report by Aug 6 the latest or he will lose his UFA eligibility for 2014.

That is, if he hasn’t finalized his deal before the season and that is no slam dunk. The consensus is that Cruz will report to camp on time and play under his tender until the his new deal is finalized.

The semantics of the deal (length, annual salary and guaranteed money) have been the sticky wicket all along and will continue to be until we are told otherwise. Cruz seems confident, so that is a good sign.

When he finally does put his name on a new deal is anyone’s guess Until then, anyone and everyone will be guessing… including Mort.